Erk Tha Jerk – Hands Up (feat. Netta Brielle)

“Nerd’s Eye View will likely be remembered as one of the definitive Bay Area albums of the post-Hyphy era… Not only is it the best debut album since Mistah F.A.B.’s Son of a Pimp, but it might just change perceptions of Bay Area rappers: namely, that they can’t make hit songs.” –Oakland Local.

“On Nerd’s Eye View, Erk just talks about what he knows, and in this case, it largely centers around his uncertainty over what the future holds. Erk has a gravelly voice and bouncy flow… and it’s hard not to love the ravey synths, big hooks, and confessionals.” – SF Weekly.

“Erk Tha Jerk is a West Coast Kid Cudi without the liquid cocaine problem.” – East Bay Express.

The Song:

In a few short months since its release, Erk Tha Jerk’s debut album Nerd’s Eye View has earned the certified Hood Nerd radio spins and acclaim from critics. Now the Bay Area emcee is proud to release the latest track from the album“Hands Up,” recently chosen to be the centerpiece of Clear Channel’s “New! Artist To Watch” promotional campaign. As a result of his new title, his profile has been posted on the websites of 50 radio stations across the country, such asKISS,Power 105 and more, including regular supporter and Bay Area powerhouse 106 KMEL.

Calling out all the single ladies, Erk shows off his slick talking ability “Let me get behind that, girl do it again rewind that /I can be a drum to your high hat /Dope boy fresh, like I’m bringing ’89 back,” while Netta B provides the sensual background vocals. The mix of bluesy guitar chords, soulful horns and drums set the smooth mood of the track.

Erk Tha Jerk was recently featured in XXL Magazine’s Show & Prove. Check the feature out below.

The Background:

Debunking the stereotype of what a West Coast rapper should be is what got a very fickle hip-hop audience to initially noticeErk. His streetwear heavy fashion sense, trademark black eyeglasses and hood nerd persona all worked in his favor. Being from a “bad place” yet knowing that there are non-hood things out there is what has shaped Erk’s approach to life and music. “I went to college for a couple years, I’ve worked 9 to 5 jobs and I’ve sold weed and none of those things quite worked out so I’m kinda like a hood nerd.” His satirical anti-hyphy anthem “I’m So Dumb” and “Plane in the Air” featuring Too $hort defined him as an artist but it was 2009’s “Right Here”that put him on the map. The censored version became one of106 KMEL’s (San Francisco) most played songs, charted onBillboard’s Top 100 Hip Hop/R&B, and the video is currently in rotation on MTV Jams. Erk Tha Jerk’s debut album, Nerd’s Eye View, is available now.

its good to hear good things about good rappers from the bay area, i swear it seem like we always get swept under the rug wen it comes to hip hop, wen in reality we contributed alot to hip hop. That hyphy shit is dead an will never come back lol